Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-23

The Shot NJ the soldier, Home.


! mer residence at Soldiers Home published in the
Sunday Herald Washington, April IL, 1887.
In the spring and early summer OF that year
perststently urged upon Mr.. Lincoln the necessity
OF military escort to accompany him to and from
his residence and place Of business and he as per-
sistently opposed my proposition, always saying
not the slightest occasion Tor such I precaution
Sometime, however, in the month Of August,
1852, one morning ne came riding up to the White
House steps, where met him. he had q merry
twinkle in his eye that presaged fun OF some kind,
| and 1 instantly saw that there was either
before he alighted he said: 81 have something
TO tell your and after going into his ONCE with
MIN: he locked the doors sat down. and com
this interview. but WIN state 4 according to my
always told you thought you an idiot and ought
to be put in q straight jacket for your apprehen-
slons Of my personal safety and danger from as
SaSsinat1on. You also know that the way We
skulked into this city, in the first place. has been
source OF shame and regret to me, for 1t does
look SO cowardly!" TO all OF which simply as
"well, said he, II don't now propose to make
you my father-confessor and acknowledge a
now don't know what to think-I am staggered;
understand me, do not want TO oppose my pride
such state OF sbetweenity In nv conclusions that
can't say that the judgment OF this court is pre-
pared to proclaim reliable decision upon the
facts presented" He paused; requested him to
60 on, for was in painful suspense He then pro-
ceeded Last night, about IL O'Clock, went alone
lighted in r1ding, land when arrived at the foot
OF the hill on the road leading to the entrance OF
the Home grounds, was Jogging along at a slow
what was next to happen in the unsettled state OF
affairs, when suddenly was arOused-I may say
the arousement lifted me out OF my saddle as wei
as out Of my wits-occasoned by the report OF
rife, and seemingly the gunner was not nifty yards
from where my contemplat1ons ended and my
frnn hU
sake, with little notice, gave proof OF decided
dissatisfaction at the racket, and with one reck-
as wen as myself from my eight-dollar plug-hat,
with which we parted company without any as
sent, expressed or implied, upon my part At a
safety. Erstwhile was left in doubt whether
death was more preferable from being thrown
from runaway Federal horse or from the more
tragic result of rifle ball fired by disloyal
bushwacker in the middle or the night"
This was all told in spirit OF levity; he seemed
portance TO the event which was disposed to give
TO it. He seemed to want to believe 1t joke
'Now," said he, 'fn the face of this testimony in
favor OF your theory OF danger to Inc, personally,
can't bring myself to believe that any one has or
Will deliberately shoot at me with the purpose of
killing me; although must acknowledge that
heard this fellows bullet whistle uncorIfortably
at an incOnvenient distance from these headquar-
tiers OF mine which rested in the saddle" He then
further proceeded to say: 81 have about concluded
that the shot was the result OF accident. II may
be some one on his return from days hunt, re-
gardless OF the course OF his discharge fired OF his
gun as precautionary measure OF safety TO his
family after reaching his house" This was said
with much seriousness.
He then playfully proceeded: 81 tell you there
is no time On record equal to that made by the two
old Abes on that occasion. The historic ride Of
John Gilpin and the memorable one OF Henry VIII
stray army mule from the scenes OF the battle OF
Bull Run. a year ago. are nothing in comparison
to mine either in point Of time made or in ud,
worthless was in having no audience. I can truth
fully say that one Of the AbeS was frightened on
this occasion, but modesty Iorbids my mentioning
which OF us is entitled to that d1SCng utShed
honor"
"This whole thing" said he ''seems farcical
1t does seem to me that am in more danger from
the augmentation OF my imaginary peril than
from Judicious silence, be the danger ever SO
great; and, moreover, do not want it understood
that share your apprehensions. never have"
At this time Mr.. Lincoln WAS to me study. It
Inevitable SVa and snauary indrept In @
ity. He was then still suffering from his terrible
domestic amiction over the loss by death OF hts Ia
ing youth almost crushed the great man. He
doubtless at times acted an unnatural part in his
endeavors to Danish from tie portals OF his mem
DRY the disturbing recOllectiOnS Of bis lost idol
often recur with mingled feelings OF admiration
and sadness to the wonderful simplicity and i'm
picit faith and trust he always reposed and en-
iOyed-eXempufied even On the occasion OF his re-
lation OF his hazardous experience on the night
above alluded to. He said: 81 am determined to
ii
it will ultimately prevail; and believe 1t is the
1nalenable right OF man. un1mpafred even by this
dreadful distraction OF our country, to be happy
or miserable at his own election, and for one
make choice OF the former alternative OF these
rights"
protection against shot gun In time Of war, for
that fellow on the roadside last night was just
such a philosopher as yourself, but acted from
posed claims to inalienable rights by making him
self happy and the country miserable by attempt
ing to Kill you as military necessity, and unless
you are more careful prudent and discreet, and
will be governed by wiser counSelS than you de-
rive from your own arbitrary and obstinate per-
sistency in recklessness in less than week you'll
have neither inaIienable rights nor any other,
and We will have no Lincoln. The time, fear,
may not be far distant when this republic will be
minus pretty respectable President"
An escort of cavalry was afterward reluctantly
tolerated by him, which doubtless did much
toward the preservation OF his life during the in
tervening time between then and the fatal night
OF the 14th OF April, 1865.
This narration was suggested by several letters
statement i became public, as to his averment Of
facts, which oner as my only excuse for this
writing.
To the best Of my recollection Mr. Lincoln in his
interview with me said nothing about the bullet
hole in the crown OF his head gear Mr. MS state
ment is the first of this as fact that has been
brought to my attention. / had been impressed,
and always believed, that this portion OF execu-
tive corporal hered1tament referred to, had
undergone the process OF national sequestration,
or at least OF ultimate cOnflScati0n as captured
and abandoned property"
may be pardoned for saying have met many
brave men in the course OF my life, but can con-
sc1ent1OuSly state that never saw man with
tTuer courage and one so devoid OF fear as Abra-
ham Lincoln: II he ever realized the sensation
OF that attribute, it. must have arisen from an
apprehension OF doing wrong.
Respectfully, WARD b. LANQN.
Good News for Temperance Men.
KENTUCKY DISTILLERS COMBINE TO RESTRICT THE
PRODUCTION OF WHISKY.